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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Recent Happenings-Ladies Tea

May 17- Faith Ladies Tea
A wonderful tradition at my church, each May there is a different theme with decorations, food, door prizes and some sort of "costume/craft".  This year the theme was Aprons and being a service to others.  I suggested the Apron theme. We all wore aprons, and ladies could share a story  about a special apron.  Emilie, Bella and I wore aprons my mother made for us, Olivia wore the apron I made for her.  I was asked to read an Apron story.  I combined 2 different stories.  Here it is.

"The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material. But, along with that it served the homemaker and her family is so many ways.


 As a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.


It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, wiping runny noses, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.  The pockets seemed bottomless when filled with clothes pins while  hanging clothes on the clothes line.


From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. And, from the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. It served to wipe hands and jars during canning time.


When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. Those aprons were also ideal hiding places for shy children.


In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. 

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and then men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.


When the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

Those old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.


In today’s world you would go crazy trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron, but love.

Today, aprons are making a come-back. It will be a long time before someone invents anything that can replace that “old-time apron.” They served so many purposes.  What kind of apron will you wear and what kind of love will it bring to the hearts of others?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Olivia and Bella

 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Emilie and Olivia~~~





         Gramma and Mom

The girls and I were very happy that the "grandmas" could come.

















Kaitlyn and Olivia with their cookbooks














Each place card was a different apron. Very Cute! Each table was a different color theme, pink, yellow, blue, green, orange.  



Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Homeschool Pioneer needs Prayer!

Jessica Hulcy has just been in a traffic accident; she was broadsided 
 by a fire truck. She is alive but badly hurt, in critical condition but
stable. Her lungs are collapsed. She has no broken bones. There is some brain 
 trauma but nothing to operate on. She is unconscious. Back in the most 
 challenging days of home schooling there were few options for 
curriculum. Abeka, BJU or write your own. Two neighbors wrote their 
 own and developed one of the first widely used curriculums written for 
home education... vs a classroom.

Jessica Hulcy, author of KONOS and national speaker... and friend of 
Texas home school families... Please keep her, the family and doctors 
in your prayers...
Her husband's name is Wade.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Workboxes

I made a loose outline of 3 lists, Must Haves, Want to Have, and Fun.
If I do a fun box after each harder box I'd end up with way more boxes than 12. Again I don't have the book yet.

My Must Haves include
Bible/AWANA
Literature
Math
History
Latin
Science (Apologia General)
Writing/Grammar
Spelling for Olivia
Computer/Technology
Audio Literature

I thought I could alternate History and Science, doing History 3 days a week and Science 2 days a week, but I don't think Science would get finished. We also notebook or lapbook these two subjects in addition to reading, so that would add another box for each.

Want to Have
Nature Journal
Art
Music appreciation (they do not have formal music lessons at this point, but Olivia is trying to teach herself to play guitar)
Enrichment Reading
PE
Homemaking/Handicraft- TOD-KAH (Training our Daughters to be Keepers At Home) and/or Polished Cornerstones
iPod-Listening to selected short messages- Joyce Meyer Radio, Grammar Girl, Learn French podcast, Faith Comes by Hearing Daily Proverbs and Psalms, Your Story Hour ( not all of these daily of course)


Fun
Mad Libs
iPod- Free, music or story
email
computer game
Geo-Safari
exercise/train dog
I suppose that tramp jumping & bike riding (PE) can also be on the Fun list.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Workboxes Holycow!




I read about this whole "workbox" concept a couple months ago and loved this idea. I had no idea it exploded over at FIAR, where have I been?! I read the whole thread at the FIAR boards today( all 37 pages, I need an award). SO now I just have to do this.

Like *many* of you I don't have room to have 3 sets of boxes. Today I found "File Jacket" packs of 10 for $5. I bought 3 packs.
I plan on using the file jackets for Emilie and Olivia in a plastic file box. Isabella, I think will like the whole box set up. I have room for one shelf/box unit under the big calendar poster.

I haven't gotten the book yet, it is on my wish list. I should be able to buy it next month.

Want to see what others are doing with workboxes? Check out this google search.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Bella's birthday!

Pictures to come!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

hatching an egg?

About 2 weeks ago the girls found a little blue egg that had gotten blown out of a nest. Bella and Olivia decided to try to hatch the thing in a basket with old socks and washclothes. Do I have to tell it the out come?

It didn't hatch, but today while Olivia was cleaning her room, it cracked and I tell you it was a powerful stink!!

We opened the windows and turned on the attic fan, thank goodness it didn't last too long!

Olivia has had a fascination with eggs. As a preschooler she made a nest with her special blanket and sat on a chicken egg from the refrigerator.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Learning at Home

Emilie and Olivia ( the "Sisters")
AWANA
Math
Read Battlefield of the Mind
Read Mary of Plymouth
History-French and Indian War, Colonial homes, Massachusetts state notebook, Timeline figures
Science- Science Scribe-Tornado, Funnel cloud
Technology- computer research skills,
Life Skills

Bella-
AWANA
Read- Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Aesop (Milo Winter)
Copywork
Math
Life Skills

Weekly Menu

Hamburgers
Pork chops
Grilled Chicken
Korean Beef Tips
Pizza

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Kitchen Detective

No self respecting homemaker wants to admit that her house stinks. It reflects badly on her cleaning skills. But I've got to be honest, something in my kitchen stinks! I cleaned out the refrigerator, took out all the old leftovers and wiped it all out. I cleaned the trash can over the weekend. There are no dirty dishes in the sink, yet the kitchen smells like rotten chicken or rotten potatoes yet, I went through the potato bin last night and didn’t find any nasty potatoes. So I’m still on the hunt...wish me luck.

Weekly Menu

BBQ Chicken
Tacos
Spaghetti
Pork Chops
Pizza

Monday, May 4, 2009

Friday, May 1, 2009

Home Learning

Emilie is reading 1984 by George Orwell. Olivia wants to read Animal Farm. But it's not in our library, so we will have to get it from Texarkana.

The "sisters" are working on Learning Adventures- A New World of Adventure.
History- Charles II, King Phillips War, Read Mary Of Plymouth, Read The Story of the Thirteen Colonies Chapters XXXVI, XXXVII
Science- Weather Advisory notebooking page, Fahrenheit notebook page
Literature- Little Pilgrim's Progress
Math
Grammar, Spelling, Journal
Battlefield of the Mind for Kids
Technology-computer research skills

Bella-
Reading- Frog and Toad
Math
Copywork
Poetry memorization
She is working on chores now.

I made our own chore packs. I like the concept of the Chore Packs but there is no way I'm going to pay for a book and chore cards, when I can make them myself. I wanted to find a way to get the girls to do their routine on their own rather than me nagging them. The "sisters" don't want to wear them, but I really want them to give it a good try for at least a week then I may tweak it a bit.

Years ago I bought (and later sold) one of their other books I found it to be very "institutional", law heavy and not flexible. I prefer routine rather then a strict minute by minute time table schedule.
I don't necessarily like their stuff. I think it can lead people into bondage to a clock, living to the letter of the law/schedule rather then being lead by the Holy Spirit.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

BINGO!

INTERESTING QUOTE FROM THE YEAR 1944


Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 - December 19,1968) was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1911. As a candidate for President of the U.S. , Norman Thomas said, in a 1944 epoch speech:

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism", they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."

He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform."

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Aprons

This is mine. I used a Kwik-Sew pattern #KS3396. I was able to add to the width of the bib. I think I did a good job. The design of the fabric really helped in hiding the seams.


This is Olivia's apron. It is a flat front "bistro" type apron. I made it up myself. The pocket and hem are trimmed with a black leather like grommet strip.

The fabric is black with cute pink, white, and lime green skulls with bows, and hearts.



I like this one too. It is available at Candle On the Hill.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Sewing and Menus

I made Olivia a new apron today. It is cute.

I cut mine out, I'm disappointed.
I love the fabic, and I love the style, but the bib is to narrow, my boobs hang out the sides. I should have really tried to alter it before I cut it out I guess.

I'm thinking I can add extra width to the bib, it would look almost like "princess" seams. The bib curves to the apron/"skirt" part. So not real sure how that will work.

~Menu~
Breakfast Night
Beef Roll Ups
Roasted Chicken
Jerk Nachos
Pizza

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Weekly Menu- April 20-24

Chicken Fried Rice
Shredded Beef Sandwiches
Chicken Cacciatore
Hamburgers
Pizza

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Routine and Tomatoes

Let's review my routine

Up by 7-check
1. Make Bed-check
2. Personal Care- dressed, teeth, no makeup yet
3. Coffee & Quiet Time-check
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls- breakfast
5. Start a load of Laundry-check

I've also got supper in the crock-pot

Now I just have to get the girls up and moving and starting school on time.

I'm reading Raising Godly Tomatoes and loving it! My timer went off so I can't comment too much right now, so go check it out right now @ Raising Godly Tomatoes

Monday, April 20, 2009

Morning Routine-How did I do?

How did I do?

My goal is to get up at 7am and wake the girls at 7:30.- Well I had a bad night, couldn't sleep until nearly 2am. I woke up at 7 but didn't get out of bed until 7:20. I had coffee and quite time. I started on the girls at 7:50. Bella got up first about 8, followed by Olivia at 8:15ish and Emilie, just now got up at 8:35. So right off the bat I can feel myself getting mad.

1. Make Bed- done
2. Personal Care- dressed is as far as I've gotten
3. Coffee & Quiet Time-done
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls- breakfast
5. Start a load of Laundry-done

PLUS I have supper in the crockpot already. We are going to be doing errands today. They don't know it yet but they will also have to do school today.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Morning Routine


Morning Routine! That sort of strikes fear in my heart. I’m a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of gal, but ironically I also like my rut. Since I’m a rut lover one would think that I would have some sort of routine. I guess really I do but it isn’t working and I haven’t changed it.

So on to a new mind set! Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A simple Morning Routine is a list of 5, and only 5, things that you plan to do each morning.
1. Make Bed
2. Personal Care
3. Coffee & Quiet Time
4. Breakfast and Devotions with Girls
5. Start a load of Laundry

See that is simple! It is sort of what I do now but I don’t get an early enough start. So my goal is to get up at 7am and wake the girls at 7:30.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Praying for my family

I pray this for my husband and my girls daily. It sums up just about everything.

Colossians 1:9-12
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

American Freedom

"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." ~Thomas Jefferson

"Freedom means self-expression and the secret of freedom is courage. No man ever remains free who acquiesces in what he knows to be wrong." ~Unknown to me

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it." ~ Daniel Webster

"If you expect people to be ignorant and free you expect what never was and never will be." ~Thomas Jefferson

"Where men cannot freely covery their thoughts to one another, no other liberty is secure." ~William Hocking

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Clothesline


A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . . .

But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

~author unknown

I really like to hang our clothes. Not only does it save money, the clothes smell sweet, and just feel fresh. Want to share your clothesline pictures?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A Special Day!

Today 14 years ago the Lord blessed us with a miracle!



¸.•*¨ ¨`*•.¸And she grew and she grew and she grew!¸.•*¨ ¨`*•.¸



I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be!

`•.¸¸.•´¯`•._.•´Happy Birthday!`•.¸¸.•´¯`•._.•´

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Living & Learning

Emilie and Olivia
AWANA
Little Pilgrims Progress
Spelling
Grammar
Writing
copywork
History-Fur Trade notebook sheet, Native American notebook
Science- weather chart, cloud project
Fine Arts- Bach research
Technology- Computer research skills, Creative design (building blogs, websites, recording own podcasts, using special effects and features)
Math
Free reading, writing
Life Skills- laundry, cleaning bathroom & bedroom, cooking


Bella
AWANA
Reading-Bread and Jam for Frances, My Favorite Seasons, Beady Bear
copywork
Spelling
Math
Fine Arts- Bach
Technology- computer skills
Free reading, writing
Life Skills- laundry, cleaning bathroom & bedroom, cooking

Monday, April 6, 2009

Lunch ideas!



This is the cutest lunch idea ever! I did this a few times when Emilie was little. I almost wish I had some more littles around.

Weird Soup

I made Buffalo Chicken Soup for supper tonight. But it turned out weird. The broth wouldn't thicken up. I kept adding cheese which seemed to sink to the bottom of the pot and glue all the chicken pieces together. It tasted okay but eating it wasn't very satisfying.


Just a Monday

Emilie and Olivia
Awana
Literature- Little Pigrim’s Progress Chapters 16-18
History-Pilgrims and Massachusetts Indians, Native American Notebook
Science- Cumulus Clouds- Science Scribe Notebook, Weather Chart
Writing- essay
Fine Arts- Johann Sebastian Bach
Grammar, Spelling
Math
Free reading, writing, art



Bella-
Awana
Spelling-Explode the Code
Reading-Junie B Jones is a Party Animal
Fine Arts- Johann Sebastian Bach
Math- quarts and pints
Free reading, writing

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Fell off the FIAR wagon

I don't know exactly when it happened but I fell off the FIAR wagon. I still love the the curriculum, but after a couple weeks of not being able to find the books at either local library, I just stopped trying. I didn't abandon 1st grade though. Bella read daily, did Explode the Code, copywork and math.



I had Classics At Home on the shelf so brought that down and started using it. It is very "Charlotte Mason" We read a story, do vocab aloud, do some narration, answer questions, do further research about animals, do copywork. At times other subjects like "social studies", and nature walks/journals are brought in. So I'm going to be going back and forth between FIAR and CAH.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Remember this?

Do you remember this afterschool special? The Wave

Very creepy, very interesting in light of present day climate

Mom's Studio

Trying to get some good pictures of Bella for the yearbook. Lots of good pictures but the quality is bad.
Here are some of the good ones.

This is top choice for the yearbook


We will try again with the flowers this afternoon when the sun is in the back of the house.





What a day

Yesterday was productive for us. I got 2 loads of laundry folded and put away. A major accomplishment here. I can get it washed and dried fine. It’s the folding and putting away that is a hang up. I don’t know why more moms don’t “go postal” over the laundry. It drives me crazy! It never stops!

Girls did some school-AWANA, Math, Science, Literature;
Bella-AWANA, Reading, Spelling, Math

Then we went to town. Stopped at Lifeway to get a gift card for Saturday’s birthday party, Staples for copies for the Board meeting, paid Windstream, took 2 bags of clothes to Salvation Army, went to gramma’s, then I had to go out and buy her eggs. After supper I went to the board meeting, which lasted 30 minutes longer then scheduled. Picked up the girls and came home. Lindy was home from the track meet waiting for us. He even bought me a Subway for my lunch today. What a guy!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Weekly Menu

Here is what I have planned but it is a busy week so who knows if we will actually be home to eat.

Swedish meatballs
Hot wings soup ( Buffalo Chicken Soup)
leftover Chicken Spaghetti
pork chops
pizza

Tonight I have a board meeting, and LIndy has a track meet.
Tuesday is Faith Ladies supper- not sure if I will go
Wednesday is AWANA
Thursday is TEACH night and the girls are spending the night with a friend, Lindy has another track meet
Friday is La Leche League in the morning, may skip this, and then I have an hour of prayer for our 24 hours of prayer at church at 4pm.
Saturday Emilie has a birthday party.

What a family!


Aren't they gorgeous!?

School Daze

Olivia baking cookies for Home Economics/Life Skills


Bella working on Explode the Code. Emilie working on a writing assignment.


Mom and Bella doing Math U See.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

A good day for pie

Olivia and I made an apple pie yesterday.

New Dishwasher

My dishwasher hasn't been working for over a year. My dear husband blessed me with a new one last week.

Here is Bella where the old one was.




Ta-Da!! Here is it...

Yes, you worry warts!

We did put up the safety netting!






But before we did Ol' dad had to get some jumping in, all in the name of safety don't ya know.


Lots to share!

We promised the girls a trampoline as a Christmas gift. I finally bought it the very day Lindy had his motorcycle accident. In fact we had been home for 10 minutes before I got the call.

Last weekend was great weather and Lindy was feelin' fine, so we put it up.









Friday, March 27, 2009

One Nation Under God

"It is extremely important to our nation,
in a political as well as religious view,
that all possible authority and influence
should be given to the Scriptures,
for these furnish the best principles of civil liberty,
and the most effectual support of republican government*.

The principles of all genuine liberty,
and of wise laws, and administrations are to be
drawn from the Bible and sustained by its authority.
The man therefore who weakens or destroys
the divine authority of that book
may be accessory to all the public disorders
which society is doomed to suffer...."

~Noah Webster

* Republic vrs. Democracy

Thursday, March 26, 2009

One Nation Under God

"The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests." Andrew Jackson

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Biggest Loser

We haven't weighed in for 2 weeks, because Karen, the organizer, has been sick with the flu. She is better now- yeah!
So we had a weigh in yesterday- I gain .4 of a pound from where I was nearly 3 weeks ago. Which isn't bad since I lost like nearly 5 pounds that first week.

Health update and Menus

Olivia has had an earache- treating it with garlic and goldenseal oil in ear and olive leaf and garlic by mouth. She is doing much better. Emilie has had a sore throat- had white patches last week, Dr. was out for the week, so I treated her with olive leaf and garlic by mouth with some goldenseal and echinacea from time to time. She was better by Saturday, redness, swelling and white patches gone! Last night her throat started hurting again. I stopped treatment to early. So she is back on olive leaf and garlic.

As far as menus this week:
Roasted Chicken
Jerk Chicken Quesadilla- which is like Jerk Chicken Nachos but quesadillas instead.
Spaghetti
Leftovers with salad
Pizza

Monday, March 23, 2009

Wholesome Children's Stories

Want to entertain your kids with wholesome stories?
Take a peek at Paws and Tales. You can subscribe to the free weekly podcast.

"Welcome to Wildwood! Here the folks live just like you and me. They love fun and adventure, enjoy their work and family, and try to learn each day what it means to be like Christ.

The Paws & Tales radio drama is heard every week on more than 450 radio outlets in North America and around the world, as well as on the Internet. As a ministry of both Insight for Living and Insight for Kids, the mission of Paws & Tales is to help parents teach biblical theology to their kids through memorable, meaningful stories and music."

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Charity Tape Ministries

Check out Charity Tape Ministries!

You can download them now, I load them on my ipod and listen. I've been listening to this one

Keeping the Hearts of Your Children

It is SUPER great! I know you'll love it.

I've have gotten quite a bit from them over the years. Lots of Homeschool Conferences, and one of my favorites is
The Making of a Princess by Dora Ash

Monday, March 16, 2009

Weekly Menu March 16-20

Poppyseed Chicken
Jambalaya
Mac and Cheese
Oven Chicken
Pizza

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Biggest Loser

We aren't having a weigh in this week. Which works for me! I don't think I've done very well. I have walked a couple times and did some arm toning, but that's it. I have tried to watch what I eat, but not as vigilant as I should/could have.

Weekly Menu

My darling husband commented that I've not been posting our menu plans and he would like to know what he gets to eat.

Leftover Korean Beef
Jerk Chicken Strips
Beef Roll ups
some other chicken dish
pizza

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Biggest Loser

Had my weigh in Wednesday. I'm the "biggest loser" this week, just shy of 5 pounds.
I really need to up my exercise with walking and light strength training. Then I won't have to worry to much about what I eat.

My mom is bringing me a copy of a diet plan her cousin has, it is 3 days on then 4 days off a week. That sounds pretty good. I just have to see what the 3 days looks like.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Praying with Purpose

My pastor's wife gave out this prayer to pray for our children, our spouse,and even ourselves.
Make it personal by adding a specific name in the blank.

Dear Lord,
I pray for my child________,

Like Enoch
Let _______walk with You daily,

Like Noah,
Let_________find favor in Your eyes,

Like Abraham,
Let________have faith in You,

Like Isaac,
Let_________be obedient to You and to parents,

Like Joseph,
Let_________be upright and be pure,

Like Moses,
Let ________be humble and be meek,

Like Joshua,
Let________be strong and be courageous,

LIke Caleb,
Let______be strong in health,

Like David,
Let ______be one after Your own heart,

Like Solomon,
Let_____be wise,

Like Daniel,
Let_________be faithful,

Like Nehemiah,
Let___be a great leader,

Like Esther,
Let__________be a (wo)man of prayer,

Like Job,
Let__________be victorious through patience,

LIke John,
Let______________love You wholeheartedly,

Like Paul,
Let__________love souls,

I pray to You Lord,
Let_____be one after the image of Christ,

I believe it is done.
I pray in Your Name with thanksgiving,
Amen.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Biggest Loser

I have to tell you I've starving! I really cut down on my portions, which aren't really all that big to begin with. I have walked 2 days, not very long but more than usual. I'm also going to do some light strength training, which I like much better then aerobic exercise.

In the past I've lost a bunch of weight on High Protein/Low Carb diet. Then got pregnant! LOL I also go nuts without a little bread and I crave fruit. So I"m going to do a modified Hi Pro/Low Carb, lean meats, limited whole wheat bread, low glycemic fruits ( low sugar) and vegies. If that doesn't work, I'll do the WW point system.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Biggest Loser


I joined a group of gals from my homeschool group in a "Biggest Loser" contest. Each week we put a dollar in the pot and have a weigh in. The lady who loses the most by some date in May will win the whole pot. Well i joined just last night and then promptly forgot and ended up eating a doughnut for breakfast!

I was shocked by my weigh in, I'm like 15 pounds more then I would have guessed. All my pants still fit so I had no clue that I was gaining that much weight! So it is on!! Better food choices and the dreaded exercise.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Pod Person

For my birthday( 11/08) my mom gave me an iPod Nano, in my favorite color red!



Well it was actually her iPod, when she got her iPhone she didn't need the Nano too so gave it to me. I just this week synced it with my stuff. I've downloaded a bunch of Joyce Meyer, Cindy Rushton and I've found some really neat stuff on ITunes. I downloaded Sherlock Holmes, and some oldtime Radio Dramas.

When Isabella was a baby, I would lay in bed nursing her to sleep, I'd get so bored laying there in the dark that I started listening to audiobooks to past the time. Well this has become such a habit that now I can't go to sleep without listening to a story. It can't be music, it has to be a story. I have found I go to sleep faster if the reader has a British accent. Isn't that weird? So this iPod is working great for me at night!

My computer savvy girls have really helped me figure it out. They are so smart :)

Todays Doings

Well since my dad and Janet are here visiting today school isn't really happening. Emilie did do AWANA and she is working on spelling, grammar and reading literature. I'm not sure what Olivia has/is working on. Bella has been writing stories on the computer.

I found out that I can make "memory books" at the Walmart site and have it printed and bound. Isn't that cool! I may have to make that an "assignment" for the girls to make one as a personal yearbook.

I finally broke down and signed up for Mommy Homework on Cindy Rushton's website. I still think it can be a pit of wasted time if I"m not careful. I feel that Cindy has a lot of great stuff for moms but I also feel that it can be a time trap too. A lot of women are spending way to much time online listening and reading about homeschooling, parenting, marriage when they should be spending their time with their children and serving/helping their husbands. Okay so I guess you know what one of my soap boxes is now.

BTW- Olivia is feeling better today. PTL!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Scarlet Fever/Strep Throat

Olivia has had a sore throat and has had a fever for 3 days. Yesterday she noticed a red rash on her stomach. So I called the Dr. today and took her in. Olivia has scarlet fever. Which sounds just horrid, I mean people used to die from Scarlet Fever! Well, guess what, a scarlatina rash is an atypical symptom of Strep Throat.

Olivia is on penicillin now.

She had strep throat back in September with hugh white patches on her tonsils. Both times she has had strep throat she has had 2 different atypical symptoms. She is like me in that way, I got strep throat all the time as a child.

I'll be starting her on an Echinacea regiment, 10 days a month. I hope to strengthen her immunity.

My Dad is here.

He doesn't like my blog. He says it is too full of ads, menus and fluff. I personally don't like to read long blogs, so I try to keep it short and brief. I'll try to be more "chatty."

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Rockin' Giveaway!


The Homeschool Boutique is hosting a T-shirt giveway! The T-Shirt is really cute and I really hope that I can win it! Olivia will love it!


Check out The Homeschool Boutique today!

"We are a hip and trendy online boutique, offering homeschoolers a large variety of unique homeschool apparel & accessories.

Our goals are:
* Offer trendy homeschool t-shirts and accessories at great prices!
* To help dispel negative stigmas that are attached to homeschooling families.
* Have non demeaning apparel of others.

Our t-shirts, tote bags, and other homeschool accessories are great for trips to the super-market, homeschool meetings, co-op groups, and field trips. "

Monday, February 16, 2009

Weekly Menu February 16-20, 2009

Chipotle Lime Chicken
Soup-haven't decided what kind, it is usually a hunt and dump soup.
Burgers
Roasted Chicken
Pizza

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Grand Opening!!




Teacher Book Bag's Grand Opening Goodie Bundle! Note:
Please join us at TeacherBookBag.net to take part in our Grand Opening celebration. Register to be one of five people who receive the entire Teacher Book Bag collection free. Winners will be announced in our February 25th newsletter. Any purchases that the winners made at Teacher Book Bag's site from February 14th through 20th will be refunded to them.

Teacher Book Bag sells exclusively through CurrClick.



Don't Miss Out!!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Olivia's Birthday! and a gift for you!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Celebrating Olivia!*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gramma gift.

A two piece outfit from Kohls that Olivia had picked out. It has sparkly pink skulls on the top and the leggings.

Top from mom and dad.


Her big gift! A Game Cube! Was she surprised?

Got to love cake!



A Gift for you!
Jesus the Ultimate Valentine bookmarks

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Weekly Menu February 9-13, 2009

Orange Apricot Pork Chops
Coconut Chicken Strips
Lasagna
Olivia's Birthday Supper
Pizza

Monday, February 2, 2009

Weekly Menu February 2-6, 2009

Korean Beef Ribs
Jerk Chicken Nachos
Cheeseburger Casserole
Breakfast Night
Pizza